Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals with moments of magic

LONDON (AP) — There Carlos Alcaraz was, down on his backside at a baseline below the Royal Box, briefly taking a seat in the grass after doing the splits when he slipped while running to hit a forehand during his fourth-round match Sunday.

So now what? Give up on the point and get ready for the next? Ha. Not this kid. Alcaraz popped to his feet, sprinted to his left to get to a backhand wide of the doubles alley, then raced forward to reach a short shot and, eventually, watched his opponent send a volley long.

That allowed Alcaraz to claim the second set of what would become a 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 victory against No. 16 seed Ugo Humbert at Centre Court. The defending champion at the All England Club celebrated the moment by raising his right index finger in a “No. 1” gesture and shouting “Vamos!” as thousands of spectators rose to salute him.

The 21-year-old Spaniard is making a habit of turning the impossible into the possible, figuring out ways to win points many other players would concede and, in the bigger picture, breaking new ground time after time. He’s been the first teenager to reach No. 1 in the ATP rankings, and last month’s French Open championship made him the youngest man to win Grand Slam titles on three surfaces: hard, grass and clay courts.

Asked during his on-court interview how he’d describe the remarkable sequence against Humbert, Alcaraz offered a huge smile and responded: “Unbelievable, I guess. I just try to fight every point, every ball. It doesn’t matter what part of the court.”

Unbelievable, maybe, but certainly not unprecedented. For him, at least. Later, at his news conference, he recalled having made that same sort of recovery from a fall during his thrill-a-minute marathon against rival Jannik Sinner at the 2022 U.S. Open, a tournament Alcaraz went on to win.

“I think,” Alcaraz said, “that I can reach every ball.”

There is a possible rematch against the No. 1-ranked Sinner looming in the semifinals. Each just needs to win once more to get there. In Tuesday’s quarterfinals, Alcaraz will face No. 12 Tommy Paul, and Sinner goes up against 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev.

Sinner was bounced in last year’s Wimbledon semifinals by Novak Djokovic, who then lost to Alcaraz in a five-set final.

Sinner earned his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, and he advanced Sunday with a 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (9) win against No. 14 Ben Shelton, breaking the big-serving left-hander four times — the same total number of breaks others had managed against the 21-year-old American through 15 sets entering the day.

Like Alcaraz, Sinner is capable of some improvised racket wizardry, as he displayed in the third set, bringing his racket around his back at the baseline and flicking a between-the-legs shot that he followed up with a passing winner.

“I’m not kind of player to have a lot of trick shots. But in this case, it was still the easiest shot. I didn’t have space to go right and left,” Sinner said, calling it a “lucky shot.”

Paul reached his first quarterfinal at Wimbledon by using a 41-14 edge in winners to extend his unbeaten run to nine matches, all on grass, with a 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-2 victory over Roberto Bautista Agut. Medvedev moved on when Grigor Dimitrov stopped playing because of a leg injury in the first set.

There was another midmatch retirement in a women’s fourth-round match: 2017 U.S. Open runner-up Madison Keys hurt her leg, took a medical timeout and then briefly tried to continue. But she was wiping away tears as she walked to the net when she decided she needed to quit at 5-all in the third set against Jasmine Paolini, who was a finalist at this year’s French Open.

“I’m so sorry for her. To end the match like this, it’s bad. What can I say?” Paolini said. “I’m feeling a little bit happy, but also sad for her. It’s not easy to win like that.”

Paolini next meets reigning U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff or No. 19 Emma Navarro, who were scheduled to play Sunday’s last match in the main stadium.

The other women’s quarterfinal established Sunday is Lulu Sun against Donna Vekic. Sun eliminated 2021 U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 to become the first woman to get through qualifying and reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals since 2010, and the first woman from New Zealand to get that far at the All England Club in the Open era, which began in 1968.

Vekic dropped to her knees at No. 2 Court after getting past Paula Badosa 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 in a match disrupted by three rain delays to make her first quarterfinal at the grass-court event in 10 appearances.

“I feel,” said Vekic, a 28-year-old from Croatia, “like I’m living my dream.”

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain serves to Tommy Paul of the United States during their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Tommy Paul of the United States celebrates after defeating Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain in their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Tommy Paul of the United States celebrates after winning the second set against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain during their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Emma Raducanu of Britain reacts after winning the second set against Lulu Sun of New Zealand during their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Lulu Sun of New Zealand celebrates after defeating Emma Raducanu of Britain in their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Donna Vekic of Croatia reacts after winning her fourth round match against Paula Badosa of Spain at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Jannik Sinner, left, of Italy is congratulated by Ben Shelton of the United States following their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Ben Shelton of the United States reacts during his fourth round match against Jannik Sinner of Italy at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Ugo Humbert of France plays a forehand return to Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Rod Laver watches the fourth round match between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Ugo Humbert of France on Centre Court at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Salma Hayek watches the fourth round match between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Ugo Humbert of France on Centre Court at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain plays a shot back between his legs to Ugo Humbert of France during their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Emma Raducanu of Britain reacts after falling during her fourth round match against Lulu Sun of New Zealand at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Jannik Sinner of Italy plays a backhand return to Ben Shelton of the United States during their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain falls during his fourth round match against Ugo Humbert of France at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Ben Shelton of the United States plays a backhand return to Jannik Sinner of Italy during their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Ben Shelton of the United States reacts during his fourth round match against Jannik Sinner of Italy at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Jannik Sinner of Italy plays a backhand return to Ben Shelton of the United States during their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Jasmine Paolini of Italy reacts during her fourth round match against Madison Keys of the United States at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Jasmine Paolini of Italy plays a backhand return to Madison Keys of the United States during their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Madison Keys of the United States receives medical attention during her fourth round match against Jasmine Paolini of Italy at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Jasmine Paolini, right, of Italy applauds as Madison Keys of the United States walks from Centre Court after she retired injured during their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Madison Keys of the United States reacts during her fourth round match against Jasmine Paolini of Italy at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Madison Keys of the United States reacts during her fourth round match against Jasmine Paolini of Italy at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Ugo Humbert of France plays a backhand return to Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain plays a forehand return to Ugo Humbert of France during their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts after winning a point against Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia in their third round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Friday, July 5, 2024.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain plays a forehand return to Ugo Humbert of France during their fourth round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain reacts during his fourth round match against Ugo Humbert of France at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Kurtis Rourke threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns to help No. 23 Indiana stay unbeaten with a 41-24 victory over Northwestern on Saturday.

The Hoosiers (6-0) also had 158 yards on the ground with Justice Ellison (68 yards) and Ty Son Lawton (52 yards) each having a rushing TD. Elijah Sarratt had 135 yards on seven catches. The Hoosiers matched their best start to the season with the six wins, equaling the 1967 squad.

Jack Lausch had a bounce-back performance for Northwestern, throwing for 243 yards and two scores. Bryce Kirtz and A.J. Henning were his favorite targets, combining for 195 yards on 16 catches.

Following a slow start, both teams combined for five consecutive scoring drives to end the first half. Indiana took a 17-10 lead into the break, led by Rourke’s 196 yards. Miles Cross made a toe-tapping catch in the back of the end zone to break a 7-7 tie and put the Hoosiers in front for good.

Henning caught two touchdowns in the second half, including a two-yard screen pass that cut the deficit to 27-24. However, Northwestern’s defense could not stop Indiana from marching down the field for touchdowns on consecutive drives and the Hoosiers put the game away.

The nation’s No. 3 scoring offense entering Saturday broke the 40-point mark for the fifth time this season, putting up over 500 yards of total offense with no turnovers. Rourke enjoyed his third 300-yard performance in the last four games, while the Hoosiers averaged 4.9 yards per carry on the ground prior to the final drive. Indiana had the 11th-worst offense in 2023, scoring 22.2 points per outing.

The Wildcats held Indiana to a turnover on downs and punt to open the game, but Northwestern’s defense gave up seven straight scoring drives (five touchdown, two field goal) to essentially seal the game away. The main culprit was missed tackling, namely on a 52-yard catch-and-run by Ke-Shawn Williams, who escaped four Northwestern defenders. Indiana’s 41 points were the most allowed by the Wildcats in their five games played.

Indiana: The Hoosier defense struggled to stop Northwestern at times, but Indiana’s calling card has been its offense, which continued its dominant start to the season. Rourke excelled and was aided by a strong ground attack.

Northwestern: Despite the loss, the Wildcats can find optimism in giving 6-0 Indiana one of its toughest challenges yet. Lausch rebounded well from a disastrous game in Washington where he completed less than 30% of his passes, showcasing his abilities both through the air and on the ground.

Indiana: The Hoosiers have a bye week before hosting Nebraska on Oct. 19.

Northwestern: The Wildcats have a short week and will head to College Park to take on Maryland next Friday.

No. 22 Louisville fell to SMU on Saturday morning, giving Indiana a chance to rise in the polls. However, No. 9 Missouri was upset by No. 25 Texas A&M, meaning the Aggies have a good chance of leap-frogging the Hoosiers.

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Northwestern running back Joseph Himon II., right, runs with the ball against Indiana defensive lineman Mikail Kamara during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)